Two Borough Council seats, three full-term school board seats and a separate one-year school board position are on the ballot as Sayreville residents prepare for Election Day.

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SAYREVILLE, NJ — Election Day is approaching, and Sayreville residents will have several decisions to make about who represents them in local government and on the Board of Education.

Voters will choose two members of the Borough Council, three members of the Board of Education and one school board member to serve a separate one-year term.

And with early voting already underway, residents don’t have to wait until November 3 to cast their ballots.

Here’s a straightforward look at who’s running, what the positions involve and how to vote.

🗳️ Four Candidates, Two Sayreville Borough Council Seats

Four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the Sayreville Borough Council.

The council plays a major role in decisions affecting residents, including property taxes, the municipal budget, redevelopment projects, local ordinances and borough services.

The election comes with the six-member council currently divided evenly between three Democrats and three Republicans.

The two seats being contested are currently held by Republican council members Michael Colaci and John Zebrowski.

Voters can choose up to two candidates.

Meet The Borough Council Candidates

The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.

Bernard “Bernie” Bailey — Democrat

Bailey is one of two Democratic candidates seeking a seat on the Borough Council.

He is challenging the two Republican incumbents in this year’s election.

Michael Colaci — Republican

Colaci is seeking another term on the Borough Council.

He has a professional background in finance, including nearly two decades working on Wall Street before serving in local government.

Dexter Thomas — Democrat

Thomas is running for Borough Council as a Democrat.

He serves as president of the Sayreville Emergency Squad, an organization that provides emergency medical services in the community.

John Zebrowski — Republican

Zebrowski is seeking reelection to the Borough Council and currently serves as council president.

He previously served as Sayreville’s police chief, retiring in 2022 after a 35-year career with the department.

Zebrowski is also an attorney licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Why Does The Council Election Matter?

Sayreville’s six-member council is currently split 3–3 between Democrats and Republicans.

That division has played a role in several recent council decisions, with Mayor Kennedy O’Brien casting tie-breaking votes when council members have been evenly divided.

The November election will determine who holds two of those six council seats beginning in January.

The mayor’s position is not on the ballot this year.

Residents interested in learning more about the council candidates can visit the League of Women Voters’ Sayreville Borough Council voter guide.

🏫 Four Candidates Seek Three Sayreville Board Of Education Seats

Sayreville residents will also elect three members to the Board of Education, which oversees the public school district.

Unlike the Borough Council race, school board elections are nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run with Democratic or Republican party labels on the ballot.

The school board has nine members who serve without pay.

Its responsibilities include approving the school budget, establishing district policies and hiring and evaluating the superintendent.

Three seats are up for election this year, with each carrying a three-year term.

Voters can select up to three candidates.

Meet The School Board Candidates

Eloy Fernandez

Fernandez is the current president of the Sayreville Board of Education and is seeking another term.

He is one of three sitting board members running in this year’s full-term election.

Atef M. Ghaly

Ghaly is seeking a seat on the Board of Education.

He previously ran for the school board in 2025 and is challenging the three incumbents in this year’s race.

Alison Napolitano

Napolitano is a current member of the Board of Education and is seeking reelection.

She has served alongside Fernandez and Pabon during the current board term.

Eileen Pabon

Pabon is also seeking another term on the Board of Education.

She currently serves as a school board member and is one of the three incumbents on the ballot.

A Separate One-Year School Board Election

In addition to the three regular school board seats, residents will see another school board position on the ballot.

John Walsh is running for a one-year unexpired term on the Board of Education.

Walsh is currently serving on the board and is the only listed candidate for that position.

The one-year term is a separate contest from the three full-term seats, so voters should pay attention to both sections of their ballots.

What Issues Will The School Board Face?

The incoming board will have several major responsibilities ahead.

The district is currently searching for its next superintendent to replace longtime Superintendent Dr. Richard Labbe, who is expected to leave the position in 2027.

School officials are also working on student achievement, attendance, transportation facilities and future spending plans.

The elected board members will take part in decisions affecting these issues during their terms.

Residents can learn more about the candidates through the League of Women Voters’ Sayreville Board of Education voter guide.

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📅 When Can Sayreville Residents Vote?

<escape>Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.</escape>

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

But residents who prefer to vote before Election Day can do so now.

Early Voting Is Already Underway

Early voting began Saturday, October 24, and continues through Sunday, November 1.

The hours are:

• Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sayreville’s local early voting location is the Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main Street.

Middlesex County voters can also use other designated early voting centers within the county.

👉 Find early voting locations and additional information

Where Do I Vote On Election Day?

On November 3, residents must vote at their assigned Election Day polling location.

That location depends on their voting district and may be different from the early voting center.

Residents can check their assigned location using the state’s official voter information website.

👉 Find your Election Day polling place

Residents can also contact the Sayreville Borough Clerk’s Office at 732-390-7020 for help confirming their district and voting location.

What About Voting By Mail?

Residents who prefer a mail-in ballot should be aware of several important deadlines.

• October 27: Deadline for the county to receive applications submitted by mail for a mail-in ballot.
• November 2, by 3 p.m.: Deadline to apply in person for a mail-in ballot at the County Clerk’s Office.
• November 3, by 8 p.m.: Deadline to place a completed ballot in an authorized drop box or deliver it directly to the Middlesex County Board of Elections.

Ballots returned through the mail must be postmarked by November 3 and received within the deadline established by state election law.

Residents who already received a mail-in ballot should follow the return instructions provided with it.

👉 Learn more about voting by mail

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🔎 Want To See Everything On Your Ballot?

The Borough Council and Board of Education aren’t the only races Sayreville residents will see.

The November 3 general election also includes contests for federal and Middlesex County offices.

The exact ballot residents receive depends on the offices and districts associated with their registered voting address.

To review the candidates and races before heading to the polls, visit the county’s official sample ballot page.

👉 View Middlesex County sample ballots

For statewide voting information, visit Vote.NJ.gov.

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📬 Stay Informed About Sayreville

The Sayreville Insider will continue covering local government and school board decisions, including the results of the November 3 election.

Our goal is to help residents stay informed about the people, decisions and developments affecting Sayreville.

If you find our reporting useful, please consider sharing this voter guide with a neighbor, friend or family member.

👉 Subscribe to The Sayreville Insider’s free newsletter for local news delivered directly to your inbox.

The Sayreville Insider is an independent, nonpartisan local news publication. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not endorse any candidate or political party.